The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Rock Springs Field Office will host a public meeting for the White Mountain Wind Energy Project environmental assessment (EA) on Feb. 24, 2010.

The meeting will be held at the Young at Heart Senior Center, 2400 Reagan Ave. in Rock Springs, Wyo. Two sessions are scheduled, the first beginning at 4 p.m.; the second session starts at 6 p.m. and will end no later than 7:30 p.m. Each session will entail a short presentation on the proposal and then the remaining time will be available for questions and public comment. Project team members will be available starting at 3:30 p.m. to answer questions.

The White Mountain Wind Energy Project would result in the construction of up to 240 turbines on White Mountain just northwest of Rock Springs. The project area encompasses approximately 13,165 acres, including 4,398 BLM-administered acres. The initial disturbance would be 866 acres, and areas not required for operations will be reclaimed after construction, resulting in 189 acres of life-of-project disturbance.

Written comments are encouraged and will be accepted at the public meeting. BLM will continue to accept written comments through March 10, 2010. Mailed comments must be postmarked by March 10, whereas emailed or hand-delivered comments must be received by March 10; faxes will not be accepted.

The BLM manages more land - 253 million acres - than any other Federal agency. This land, known as the National System of Public Lands, is primarily located in 12 Western States, including Alaska. The Bureau, with a budget of about $1 billion, also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. The BLM's multiple-use mission is to sustain the health and productivity of the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. The Bureau accomplishes this by managing such activities as outdoor recreation, livestock grazing, mineral development, and energy production, and by conserving natural, historical, cultural, and other resources on public lands.